10 types of people you meet at conferences

by Fleming. Team

Are you a conference-goer? Then you know that a conference can be a hive. You meet different people from different industries and positions and get a lot of buzz. We have divided them into 10 categories, even though we know there are many more. We’ve all met at least one of these:

1. The curious one vs. the shy one

The curious
one asks a lot of questions. Prepare your business card, you will need it.

The shy one
just needs time and space and maybe some kind of ice breaker. Remember,
strangers are valuable contacts that you haven't got to know yet.

2. The newcomer

He comes
first, secures his seat, is on time after the coffee break and may look scared
at times, but is actually the perfect “sponge”, soaking up all the knowledge,
emotions and activities. One experience can win his heart or lose him as an
attendee in a minute.

3. The natural-born speaker

He fills
the room with his charisma and his speech stays in your head for days or even
weeks. You immediately have the urge to follow him on social networks and stay
in touch.

4. The speaker in the making

He is good
in his field, but is perhaps speaking in front of a crowd for the first time.
Have patience; he will master it. And he will remember you for being among the
first listeners.

5. The go-to guy

People who
network and socialise together, stay together. Many of you who attend industry
events have found people that you liked because they were social butterflies,
you had common job tasks, helped each other solve problems and suddenly found
yourselves sharing personal interests and slowly becoming friends.

6. The connected pro

Running
from session to session, he holds his notebook, phone, tablet, pen and
multi-tasks. Uses hashtags, networking games, online polls and loves to fill
out feedback forms, especially when they are online.

7. The suit

You may
think – ahh, a corporate guy, manager, CFO or CEO. Men want to dress like him;
women want their men to dress like him. Apart from the looks, he comes with guns
blazing. Has experience and contacts and this event is not his first gig. You
have a lot to learn from him. Suit up!

8. The innovator

He is into
everything new. Beta products, 3.0, IoT, new devices – he is the test subject
of a company’s dreams. He also wants to hear about new things, so the key to
win his heart is an interesting event programme. If you want to win his
attention, talk startups, disruption, innovation or the best products you have
seen lately.

9. The “Yaay, I am out of the office” guy

Maybe he
was not supposed to come and he was a stand-in. Maybe he was sent there as a
“reward”. A lot of these people are hard to get to, but with the right
attitude, an interesting programme, great people around and interesting
networking activities, they end up being the “Yaay, I attended this event” guy.

10. And last but not least… The organisers.

The
ones that want to keep you satisfied at any cost. Whether it is a broken heel,
a projector not working, not enough cakes and coffee or a problem with your
room, they run to the rescue.